Aneuploidy drives genomic instability in yeast

Science. 2011 Aug 19;333(6045):1026-30. doi: 10.1126/science.1206412.

Abstract

Aneuploidy decreases cellular fitness, yet it is also associated with cancer, a disease of enhanced proliferative capacity. To investigate one mechanism by which aneuploidy could contribute to tumorigenesis, we examined the effects of aneuploidy on genomic stability. We analyzed 13 budding yeast strains that carry extra copies of single chromosomes and found that all aneuploid strains exhibited one or more forms of genomic instability. Most strains displayed increased chromosome loss and mitotic recombination, as well as defective DNA damage repair. Aneuploid fission yeast strains also exhibited defects in mitotic recombination. Aneuploidy-induced genomic instability could facilitate the development of genetic alterations that drive malignant growth in cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aneuploidy*
  • Chromosome Segregation
  • Chromosomes, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA Damage*
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • Genome, Fungal*
  • Genomic Instability*
  • Mutagenesis
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Rad52 DNA Repair and Recombination Protein / genetics
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • RAD52 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Rad52 DNA Repair and Recombination Protein
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins